Open AccessThe ligands of Numb proteins X 1 and X 2 are specific markers for chronic Q fever
Author(s) -
Mehraj Vikram,
Boucherit Nicolas,
Amara Amira Ben,
Capo Christian,
Bonatti Stefano,
Mege JeanLouis,
Mottola Giovanna,
Ghigo Eric
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2011.00860.x
Subject(s) - numb , biology , q fever , genetics , virology , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology
Abstract Q fever is a disease caused by C oxiella burnetii , an obligate intracellular bacterium. Acute Q fever is spontaneously resolutive and is characterized by an efficient immune response. In contrast, chronic Q fever is characterized by dysregulated immune response, as demonstrated by the failure of C . burnetii to induce lymphoproliferation and the lack of granulomas. Recently, it has been demonstrated that when co‐expressed in heterologous mammalian cell lines, the ligands of Numb proteins X 1 and X 2 ( LNX 1 and LNX 2) regulate the level of the T ‐cell co‐receptor CD 8, which plays an essential role in T ‐cell‐mediated immune response. We decided to investigate the expression of LNX 1 and LNX 2 genes in patients with acute or chronic Q fever. Interestingly, we found a high level of LNX 1 and LNX 2 mRNA s in endocarditis, the principal manifestation of chronic Q fever, but not in acute Q fever. Our data suggest that LNX s may be used as complementary biomarkers to follow the prognosis of chronic Q fever.